The defending NFC Champions did not fare well the next year.
Victorious by a score of 27-10, the Eagles were NFC Champions for the first time since 1980.
But the 49ers would go on to lose 20-18 in the divisional round to the eventual NFC champion Atlanta Falcons.
They then beat the defending NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles 49-21 on October 30.
Beginning with the 2008 Arizona Cardinals, there were 4 different NFC Champions in 4 years.
In 1981, both the Giants and the defending NFC champion Eagles qualified for a playoff berth.
The winner is the NFC Champion.
The following week, the Broncos routed the defending NFC champion Eagles, 49-21, on October 30.
Gore began the 2008 season against the eventual NFC Champion Arizona Cardinals, where he rushed for 96 yards on only 14 carries.
The New York Giants started a trend of seven different NFC Champions in seven years.